2023 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing presence. Its massive size was unapologetically highlighted by a large grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like vertical running lights, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered distinct styling for its "sport" and "luxury" models, with bright trims for the Luxury and Premium Luxury versions and darkened trims for the Sport model. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, although its interior design lacked a cohesive theme. Leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof were available, but the presence of cheap-looking plastic detracted from its luxury status.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, though its cabin materials were more akin to those found in a Buick or high-end Chevy. Despite this, the XT5's interior was well-organized, offering ample space across both rows and above-average cargo capacity of 850 litres behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive feel, though the cabin design felt somewhat dated. The XT5 offered good headroom and legroom, with a panoramic sunroof available to enhance the airy feel. Standard synthetic leather upholstery could be upgraded to genuine leather in higher trims, and heated front seats were standard in Canada, with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel available on upper trims.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel-drive in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for city driving. The gasoline engine had a slight edge in towing capacity, with a maximum of 3,629 kilograms. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, even with independent rear suspension and optional air suspension. It lacked the off-road capabilities of its GM cousins and fell short in comfort compared to rivals like the BMW X7 and Lincoln Navigator.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. A V6 engine option offered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable driving experience. However, the XT5 lacked driving excitement, with decent handling but a ride quality that suffered on rough roads. Compared to competitors, the XT5's performance was less impressive, with no performance variants available. The XT5's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo-four achieving 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.2 on the highway, while the V6 with AWD rated at 13.1/9.5 L/100 km city/highway.

The 2022 Escalade shared its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious interior. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat as standard. Cargo space was generous, with 722 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the front seats lacked the luxury feel expected in a Cadillac.

The 2023 XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but Cadillac incorporated useful storage spaces, including a deep centre console storage bin. The glove box was small, but front-seat ergonomics were good. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,784 litres with the seats folded. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made accessing the cargo area easy. Compared to rivals, the XT5's cargo capacity was generous, though the shape of the cargo area was more practical than some competitors with sloping rooflines.

The 2022 Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens, including a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 16.9-inch touchscreen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with physical toggles for climate control. However, the radio station carousel and rotary controller were awkward to use. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and it offered advanced tech features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2023 XT5's CUE infotainment system was intuitive, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. It retained physical buttons for climate control, offering a user-friendly experience. The system was competitive in its segment, though not as advanced as some rivals. Cadillac offered a Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation. The XT5's infotainment was not as smooth as Volvo's Google-based system but was more than acceptable for most users.

The 2022 Escalade came with standard driver-assistance features, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. However, the Escalade lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 XT5's last full crash test was in 2021, where it earned top "Good" scores in most areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award due to "Marginal" headlight scores. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The XT5's safety features were comprehensive, though not as advanced as some competitors.